A Diverse and Productive State for Those Who Wish to Buy Utah Ranches

Home to world-class ski-resorts, lovely vistas, and a high standard of living, it is no wonder that Utah attracts investors from all around the US. The state is crisscrossed with stunning mountains, rivers, and lakes, so opportunities for hunting and farming are good revenue generators for people looking to buy Utah ranches.

Texas long horn steer in a rural Utah field, USA.

Before making initial inquiries, you should look at different areas and create a shortlist of the most appealing options. When drawing up the shortlist, you should consider several areas.

Location

When you are thinking of buying a ranch, you need to have a clear idea of what you want to do on the ranch and how much time you plan to spend there. If the ranch is a winter or summer getaway, then it needs to be easily accessed but not necessarily that near to civilization. On the other hand, if you are planning on managing a full working ranch, you will need year-round access to the nearby townships, otherwise transport costs for your products will have a negative effect on your margins.

Purpose

As mentioned above, Utah is home to some truly breathtaking landscapes. It can be the perfect year-round destination. Tourism has played a massive role in the continued growth in the state, with some ranches operating as private clubs for discerning hunters, skiers, and sportsmen.

Agriculture is another significant economic driver, with large amounts of hay being produced to support the livestock sector. Cattle has a good reputation and is a prized commodity, but it isn’t the only product that landowners generate revenue from. Dairy, poultry, and sheep products, along with fruits such as cherries and apricots, are just some of the examples of the produce that comes from within the state boundaries.

Mineral Rights

Mineral and fossil fuel production is an essential economic driver in Utah, with coal, petroleum, and salt playing a major role. If new deposits are found, they could be worth a lot of money for the owner of the mineral rights.

When searching for ranches in Utah, you should make sure the property owns the mineral rights to the land and verify the conditions attached to the rights. Holding the mineral rights allows the owner to have full control of the land and anything underneath it. Obviously, if the landowner doesn’t hold the rights, they have no recourse if the rights holder decides to set up a dig.

Water Rights

The same is true of water rights, which add additional value to the property both at the current market price and in relation to future selling price. Owning the rights gives extra flexibility for the owner to diversify their operations. Depending on where you are in the state, you could use the water resources to aid irrigation for pasture lands or lodging developments.

Failure to secure the rights can cause a lot of headaches further down the line if you are trying to change things up on-site.

Conservation

Utah has numerous conservation projects in place, which help manage the diverse, local eco-systems. As a landowner, there are considerable benefits for participating in these schemes including generous tax credits. But, for many ranch owners that is secondary to the joy of playing such an essential role in the preservation of nature.